He touched my arm, gently. “Julietta, no. I promise you that was not my intention. I will be honest. I would like to make love to you again. But if you do not wish it—so be it. We will be close friends. The apartment is for you because you are the mother of my child. I want you to be safe and well provided for.” He put a gentle hand on my arm. “Please do not be angry. My intentions were good.”

I was in such a precarious position, I had to believe him and be grateful.

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 32

Caroline, Venice, October 13, 2001

A good wall heater arrived, delivered by a couple of workmen and making the bedroom cosy. Caroline went through her aunt’s clothes, putting them into piles to donate or discard. She realized now that she had some true vintage pieces amongst them: a tea dress, a long evening dress, a fringed shawl. Those she would keep, but the jumpers had long ago succumbed to moths, and she carried them down to a nearby rubbish skip along with long-expired items from the kitchen and bathroom. She kept a couple of lace-edged hankies and a bottle of eau de cologne that was miraculously unopened and still good. Then she went through the paintings and drawings once more. She’d definitely keep the sketches of Venice. Maybe the Da Rossi family would like the sketches of the baby, if it proved to be Luca’s father. She put them aside, noting that they ranged from a chubby newborn to about a one-year-old. No drawings after that. So perhaps she stopped looking after the child when he was one—or, more likely, she had to flee. It would be interesting to know if there were any records of where she lived in Switzerland. The Swiss were so organized, there were bound to be! She smiled at the thought.

By the third day in the apartment, she realized there was nothing to keep her any longer, apart from meeting Luca’s father if and when he arrived. The flat was immaculate. The drawers cleaned out, the old suitcase packed with the things she’d be taking with her. The weather had turned colder, and she thought of Granny’s warm kitchen and hearty soups. She also thought of Teddy. How long since Josh had let her speak to him? Had he convinced Teddy that he didn’t want to go back to England? She didn’t know if Josh had replied to the email she had sent him because she did not have a connection and didn’t know where to find one. Worrying thoughts crept into her head as she lay in that warm bedroom. What if Teddy was sick and she didn’t know and Josh couldn’t contact her? But she had given Granny the address, and Granny could telephone her. Stop worrying, she told herself. Enjoy this moment. Enjoy the beauty. Be free. Be hopeful.